Ian F
MegaDork
9/6/17 1:57 p.m.
How "big" are the three drivers? A back seat comfortable for some may not be for others, and vice-versa.
Threads like this tend to garner suggestions based on what the poster is most familiar with. I'm familiar with MINI's and VW's. Since 3 people in a MINI would be torture for just about everyone, I'd go with a VW. Or maybe an Audi if I was feeling confident (crazy). But even that would depend on the size of the folks in question.
Granted, I wouldn't have a snowball's chance in Hell of building anything for One Lap with that budget. I just don't have that kind of patience or ability to find deals.
Ian F said:
How "big" are the three drivers? A back seat comfortable for some may not be for others, and vice-versa.
Threads like this tend to garner suggestions based on what the poster is most familiar with. I'm familiar with MINI's and VW's. Since 3 people in a MINI would be torture for just about everyone, I'd go with a VW. Or maybe an Audi if I was feeling confident (crazy). But even that would depend on the size of the folks in question.
Granted, I wouldn't have a snowball's chance in Hell of building anything for One Lap with that budget. I just don't have that kind of patience or ability to find deals.
Theoretically I am of the same temperament (deals/patience)... and the timeline on this isn't going to help much... but then, with careful selection there's been some good performances made at challenge recently on minimal prep/cost.
Re:size...
I'm 5'7" and 190#. But I figure on planning for up to 6' and 250#-ish. Team is yet to be filled out yet... some interest has been solicited, probably won't firm up until Jan. But that covers most likely candidates, I'd think.
bigdaddylee82 said:
sleepyhead said:
singleslammer:
interesting. I had someone recommend offline the S80 T6. Anybody know i these things have quirky maintnance like my parents spending $1500 every couple years to fix their '93 850's A/C?
I'd wager your parents' 850 didn't have a cabin filter.
I'd avoid anything P2 or related, T6 Volvo for anything other than a donor, that turbo Whitebolck I6 can make some wicked power, reliably even. Ditch the little twins for a larger single turbo, liberally apply boost, and enjoy. Sadly as good as the engine is/was, the GM sourced autotragic they stuck on all of them suffer a tragically short and temperamental life. In short if you got your hands on a S80 T6 that still had a good transmission, doubtful at the $3K budget cap, an attempt at One Lap would surely do it in.
I found this one here... but I'll heed your advice.
Sounds like someone needs to do an S80kart for challenge?
John Welsh said:
Some odd choices out of Wash DC and beyond....
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/d/mazda-vip-jdm-1991-sentia-929/6291587192.html
I feel like that's too nice to be tortured by OneLap. Also, I've seen how people react to RHD cars being at HPDE before. 
John Welsh said:
https://reading.craigslist.org/cto/d/1973-pontiac-catalina-unique/6279864475.html
oldtin
PowerDork
9/7/17 7:32 a.m.
Came in to suggest a Saab 9-5. Comfy, cheap and tuneable. Lexus GS/LS
oldtin said:
Came in to suggest a Saab 9-5. Comfy, cheap and tuneable. Lexus GS/LS
Are the 2.3t the better ticket here, over the 3.0 six? I'd look into a 9000... but I looks like they're a bit thin on the ground in Va.
I recall that one of the Achilles for the LS/GS w.r.t challenge was lack of LSD (and I'm not doing OneLap with a welded diff). What are the options for getting two wheels spinning on these?
sleepyhead said:
oldtin said:
Came in to suggest a Saab 9-5. Comfy, cheap and tuneable. Lexus GS/LS
Are the 2.3t the better ticket here, over the 3.0 six? I'd look into a 9000... but I looks like they're a bit thin on the ground in Va.
I recall that one of the Achilles for the LS/GS w.r.t challenge was lack of LSD (and I'm not doing OneLap with a welded diff). What are the options for getting two wheels spinning on these?
Yes, 2.3T is the way to go. Basically just need a tune for 300HP. There are helical aftermarket options for the manual trans as well.
In reply to Robbie :
Or the xjr6 in your neck of the woods.
Dude..... this is the answer: https://neworleans.craigslist.org/cto/d/1996-buick-roadmaster-estate/6296154813.html
Seriously.... 9C1 brakes, sway bars and springs. 17x8.5's with 275/40/17's. Done. Room in the back to sleep between transits, room for two comfortably up front. Wood paneling for awesomeness.
I just want to point out that the Catalina is amaaaaaaazing. I've met your son, he would love everything about that car. Your wife.......not so much.
In reply to mazdeuce :
Small problem with that Catalina..... no back seat and I doubt 3 grown adult men want to sit 3 wide for a week.
He buys the Catalina and I'll ride in the middle for the whole week. Promise.
mazdeuce said:
He buys the Catalina and I'll ride in the middle for the whole week. Promise.
Pulling the stereo and finding some kind of a rear seat would be the least of my problems if I bought that car. Although, the good news is swmbo would be innocent... pretty sure one of my neighbors would shoot me first.
mazdeuce said:
I just want to point out that the Catalina is amaaaaaaazing. I've met your son, he would love everything about that car. Your wife.......not so much.
I stand by my original gif reaction 
The real crime of the Catalina listing is though the seller mentions them, there are no pictures of the console switch activated flame throwers!
Also, the seller does wrong by trying to sort of hide the center of the trunk lid. Why would you not want to accentuate the words Mythical Beast
This the current back seat. Just imagine how deaf you would be after a full week of that!
In reply to Mike :
Little known fact, there's a 220in wheelbase maximum limitation in the OneLap rules
John Welsh said:
Also, the seller does wrong by trying to sort of hide the center of the trunk lid. Why would you not want to accentuate the words Mythical Beast
My only question is if he know the guy that lived in my finances apartment complex in nearby reading that had an S10 with the words "time machine" written on the back in similar fashion.
1995 -1998 LS400 seats 4 comfortably has a 260 hp rwd. Basic suspension geometry and brakes of a Supra of the similar year. Just add a limited slip and dismiss the fact that there is no manual option. Easily available in your price range.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/708726179/overview/
This would be my choice (if b-body GM wagons are out). Non-sunroof Forte SX. it's light (with sunroof, they actually weigh 2760lbs), will stuff 235/40/17's on 17x8 wheels, porterfield pads, make ~160whp/tq with intake and exhaust and knock down 30+ mpg on regular unleaded. Room in the rear seat for adults with me driving. Bilstein front struts, Koni rear shocks and some H&R springs, some camber plates (that I still have in the garage) to get -3.5* if wanted. Great factory stereo with bluetooth, cruise and handles really well.
Just a thought....
Kia Forte is not a bad choice. A 2.4L is a pretty large engine for a car of that size.
Seperately, I too had been thinking of what cars ended up with a pretty large engine for their class. Some got bigger engines for various reaasons and sometimes it was just because the marque had few engines to choose from. Here is one dark horse that came to mind.....
The Mazda 6 is pretty well respected. It became the basis for the Ford Fusion/Milan which is largely the same chassis though I think the Fusion is a little longer and maybe a slightly different rear suspension, maybe. Both offered a 2.3L 4cyl and 3.0L V6.
But... Ford also went on to offer the Lincoln MKZ. As a way of distinguishing the MKZ from the Milan at the same dealership, the Lincoln got a 263-hp, 3.5-liter V-6. Spec sheets show 1/4 times of 14.9 seconds with this Duratec engine that would also be found in the much larger Lincoln MKS/Taurus. Unfortunately, the MKZ never offered this 3.5L engine in its EcoBoost configuration.
Maybe Mazda6/Fusion handling tricks could be added to the MKZ?
The biggest downfall of the MKZ seems to be the shifter of the 6 speed auto. It doesn't seem to offer for manu/matic type self shifting or gear holding.
That amazing Lincoln depreciation means that real examples are out there in the real price range
Big power, stick shift, room for humans. Sounds like Maxima/Altima territory with their 3.5 VQ engines. Quick perusal of CL around me shows plenty of examples under 4K.
